All we need is blue hair!

The month of May was long with our dad to and fro

several business trips here and there he did go.

With his bags all packed and ready to be on his way,

giving hugs and a simple reminder, "Be good!" he did say.

"For if mother gives me a good report of you all,

maybe, just maybe, there will be a prize from the mall!"

Days later when our dad returned and to travel no more,

he named us Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, and Thing 4!

Unfortunately, there was not a "Thing 5" shirt.  Dennis brought these shirts home from an Orlando business trip. Aren't they great!  One of Millie's favorite books lately has been "The Cat in the Hat" and asks for it to be read at bedtime (she even knows it so well that she catches me when I accidently skip a page here or there just to get through it more quickly!--am I the only one that does that?!), so these shirts were very appropriate!  The next day we traveled to AZ and they were so excited to wear the shirts. It was so funny to watch how everyone responded--always smiling and pointing, "Hey, Thing Family!" or they would just count out loud as they walked past, "Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, Thing 4...is that Thing 5?!"  

With plenty of treats and movies, particularly "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" or as Millie would say, "Jophes and the colored jacket", we arrived safely and had a wonderful time visiting our dear family and friends--however, we are sorry we didn't get to see everyone.  It was a much-needed getaway before heading back for the last week of school--what do they do the last few weeks of school anyway!  

Our Baby Graduated!

OK--6th Grade graduation surprised me with some tears! Who knew!  Trying to comprehend how this happened all too quickly and a bit of anxiety thinking of participating in a similar ceremony 6 years from now!  YIKES!  Our baby, our first-born, just started kindergarten yesterday!  And now she has completed her years of elementary school.  We are so grateful she has such good friends--she loves her future "locker partner", Rachael!  We are so proud of Maren--she really is this happy most of the time!  

Maren has been singing (with perfect pitch) since she could talk!  She participated in an SSA choir this past year and has aspirations to be a future American Idol!  You go girl! Being the end of the school year, she has been able to share her many talents--SSA concert at the Provo Tabernacle (fabulous), 3 1/2 hour dance recital (going to pursue other talents), and a piano recital (love-hate relationship).  What a gal!

We are so thankful to have such a delightful, wonderful daughter!  She is such a great example for her younger brothers and sisters.  Who couldn't love that cute face!  We love you Maren! 

This can't be good. . .

It's moments like this that makes a mom cringe.  It nearly always ends with someone screaming and not-so-nice words flying.  And so it goes. . . Being one of those days, it was dinner time--I had no idea what I was fixing for dinner and the kids were starting to ask "What's for dinner, mom?"   Pressure's on!  So I was in the kitchen scrambling for an idea that I could call dinner.  With all of this sibling bonding going on in the next room, I was beginning to get irritated; you know, when you are concentrating so hard and every little thing makes you want to scream (or maybe that is only my weakness!). After listening in on this fun of taking turns being the smashed and smasher, and not for a lack of disagreements and words from the kitchen like, "Cool it, guys" or Why don't you all go outside," I decided to loosen up and enjoy the sounds of it all--smiling. Surprisingly, there were no injuries or crying, but a moment full of fun, laughter, and  memories. This is when being a mom to the greatest kids really pays off!

Pinewood Derby, soccer, and brothers. . .

So the Pinewood Derby has come and gone. Dennis, I mean, Davis made a car that took the "Best Aerodynamic Car" award and came in 2nd for the Bear Den. Congrats, boyfriend! Although last year's car brought home the overall winner trophy, Davis took it like a man and was happy for the boy who won this year.

You can see Davis' car in Lane #1--it was oh, so close!

Way to go, buddy!

Here is our fabulous goalie in action. Caught the ball just in time! What a natural! (He is quite a basketball player, too!) He plays on a competition team (as opposed to a recreational team that hardly keeps score). After an undefeated season, his team lost in a playoff game by 1 goal (so close!) and was out of the tournament. Darn! Maybe we'll take it next year.

Isn't he handsome!

Davis can't get enough of his little brother. Although he loves his sisters, he is pretty excited to have a brother. I believe they were watching a Jazz game!

Davis is such a happy, fun young man (can't believe he's almost 10!) who really trys to make good choices. We are so happy that he is a part of our family.

We love you, Davis!

Here we go...

Yes, Eli.  I'm as surprised as you are about our blog!  Call it peer pressure, one more thing to add to my already full plate of motherhood, or the fact that it's Mother's Day and the guilt of needing to be a better mother!  Whatever my reasoning, we are excited to share our going's on with our loved ones!  Stay tuned...